More children to benefit
from £500 community cash giveaway

Disadvantaged children from Milton Keynes will be able to enjoy special pony sessions this summer thanks to a cash boost from leading housebuilder Taylor Wimpey.

Ride High, based in Great Brickhill, was awarded £500 from Taylor Wimpey after it was voted the winner of the Citizen-backed Community Chest award.

Hayley Mackenzie-Wright, of Ride High, said: “This money will enable us to bring 20 new vulnerable children to Ride High over the summer holidays.

“We are so grateful to Taylor Wimpey and all those who voted for Ride High. Thanks to the Citizen Community Chest these children will look back on a summer of happy memories and wonderful experiences they would otherwise never have had.”

Steve Rolt, regional sales and marketing director for Taylor Wimpey, said: “Ride High makes such a difference to the lives of Milton Keynes children through its fantastic horse and pony activities.

“As a local housebuilder, we are committed to supporting the communities in which we build our new homes, and our Community Chest initiative is a great example of the way we can support local organisations.”

The children that Ride High aims to help include those in care or foster children, those from deprived backgrounds, young carers of parents or younger siblings, those who are bullied at school or feel disenfranchised, those who have been in trouble with the authorities, pupils who have been excluded from school and children who have suffered abuse.

Alongside their weekly riding lessons each child also takes part in a clubroom session, where through structured, horse-based activities and interaction with fellow members, they develop skills in communication and teamwork.

> Help boost Ride High funds by attending the charity’s first ever barn dance on June 14.

Ride High events manager, Alice Harris, said: “Every child that Ride High supports lives right here in Milton Keynes. The Barn Dance is a really good opportunity for local people to get their friends and family together for an old fashioned, boot stomping, brilliant night out and support the children at the same time.”

Tickets, costing £25, include a hog roast supper and 8-piece live band with caller as well as a rodeo bull, fun rodeo games, full bar and Candy Shack.